We launch into December as the ChargeBlog home is currently under a reasonable layer of snow. But, we have a good week! Spectre delivers rulebook PDFs, Black Powder Red Earth continues to show off new elements for Spearhead and Skullforge is making a metal gear? Read on for more!
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Gunslinger SOG is entering the final three days – we’ve just managed to hit the $8000NZD stretch goal so the SOG team will be getting six extra figures with some of the older and stranger gear the teams carried before the CAR15 arrived in theatre (such as a whole host of WW2 era SMGs). Flytrap has been blown away by the support and it’s definitely a good sign for things to come, especially as Anton is already planning Chapter 2 of Gunslinger’s trip to Vietnam. If you want to back (and help push us over the 100 backers mark), you can find the Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flytrapfactory/gunslinger-sog.
For Gunslinger 2030 fans (who aren’t on the Patreon), we have some news coming this week about some exciting changes coming soon to our monthly releases. We’ve learned a chunk over the past six months and we’re looking forward to adjusting our output to make sure we can focus on the stuff we do best – as well as making sure that the process doesn’t kill everyone involved!
Spectre Miniatures Deploys the PDF Rulebook and Previews Upcoming Releases
Two big areas of news from Spectre this week, kicking off with the most important part – the final version of the rulebook is out! For everyone who pre-ordered the rulebook, the final PDF has been sent out (and replaced by a corrected version at a much more manageable size). Additionally, you can order the book right now and get the PDF sent out soon. From reading through my copy, I think the rules are going to be very interesting to get to the tabletop, with some interesting mechanics I’m looking forward to trying out.
Speaking of those interesting mechanics, Spectre is going to be releasing a set of Designer Notes covering key concepts. The first one is already up covering Engagement actions or how shooting in this new edition works. It’s always interesting to peek behind the curtains and get an understanding of why the rules are written the way they are, so I’m looking forward to others in this series.
The other half of this week’s announcements from Spectre was showing off some upcoming figures. The two figures previewed are from two ranges that are in the process of being updated from the original sculpts – Russian SSO on the left and Tier 1 Operators on the right.
The SSO, with a modernised AK platform and distinctive armour, is but one range that Spectre will be releasing for the Russians. As well as the Spetsnaz, Spectre will also be releasing figures for other factions such as FSB, Mercenaries, Motor Rifle sections and more. They have already revealed they have a bucket load of Russian weapons (and that doesn’t include the weapon the figure is shown with) so I’m expecting we’ll be able to see a wide variety of loadouts.
The Tier 1 Operator continues the low visibility look of the original figures complete with some high-end kit. This rifle in particular is carbine loaded in 8.6mm Blackout, a very gucci choice for those wanting to run suppressed in a similar vein to .300 Blackout and 9x39mm. With the Tier 1 guys being one of my favourite sets from the original release, I’ll be keeping an eye on what the new generation looks like.
Black Powder Red Earth Shows Off The New Warfighters For Spearhead
In the land of Black Powder Red Earth, patrons have received an early preview of the eight new unit types that will be coming as part of BPRE28mm Spearhead. The eight types are split across both the existing factions (Cold Harbour and Hongbin) as well as the two new teams 00 Unit NITTO and SPEAR Brigade ready to join the conflict. For those on the patreon who have taken a look, it’s pretty obvious that these new units add some very different styles of play to the already-existing teams as well as adding new models that will be included in the box.
Black Hills Games Reveals Anniversary Miniature
Black Hill Games this week showed off an anniversary figure to celebrate one year of releases. The figure shown is a slightly more cinematic Texas Ranger, inspired by a certain movie but ready for the tabletop (tactical rock included). He’s a nice little figure, another example of the great work from Black Hills Games.
Additionally, just as I was writing this post, the November figures have been released to patrons! This pack of African Rebels are a great little set for the tabletop, giving a solid set of 7 militia fighters that are perfect for any games set in Sub-Saharan Africa. I love the little touches on them, such as the mixture of a few core elements (shoes and sandals) as well as only a few people wearing their plate carriers. Plus the RPG gunner with launcher and AK is just slightly intimidating.
Combat Octopus Previews First Figure For Chechnya
Combat Octopus has been hard at work on the next release showing off the first figure from the next release. Inspired by a certain picture from the first Chechen War, this figure is posed with a PKM over his shoulder (although modular parts will allow for the SVD or RPK as an alternative). According to the preview of the next pose (still WIP), this set is aiming to be less dynamic and more themed around the slog of that particular conflict.
Modern Miniatures Releases Construction Site Terrain
Modern-Miniatures.eu has also released the latest set, the construction site elements shown last month. This set includes a mix of Resin and FDM parts, giving you all the parts needed to build up a board covered in construction work. If you sign up to the Patreon now, you’ll be able to download them now at the link on the Patreon page.
But with one set released, it’s time to work on the next one. Patrons have voted for a smuggler’s dock as a theme, just waiting for the local three-letter agency (or the army depending on location) to raid. So far we’ve seen the speedboat and doc shown above, as well as some ordered stacks of cash. We’ll see the full details in the upcoming week, but I can see this set being rather popular.
Skullforge Studios Prepares For A Sneaking Mission
Skullforge Studios has shown off a rather large tease of what is coming this month that might excite quite a few people. The initial moodboard preview for this month included the Metal Gear Solid Foxhound logo in one corner but this image shows off exactly what that means we’re getting – an actual Metal Gear. Coming in both 1:55 scale for towering over the tabletop and 1:285 for those people playing Battletech or similar, this guy is going to be a fun piece for any mission, sneaking or otherwise. The Solid Snake figure at the bottom is also looking pretty good, and I’m expecting we’ll see a few other familiar faces before the month is out.
Urban Scatter Gaming Gets Ready To Rock and Roll
Finally, Urban Scatter Gaming has announced some cool items coming with this month’s Patreon release – Rocks!
Okay but as funny as that sounds, I think this is a cool item to have in the 3d printing library. Rocks and smaller pieces of scatter is usually the thing missing from most people’s wargaming tables, so having the ability to print out these models rather than having to mess around with foam core. Plus with the right paint scheme and basing material, they could easily fit into any conflict zone.
Urban Scatter has also done something quite clever by pre-hollowing them out, saving how much resin is needed for a quite large object. These should be a nice addition to the December release!
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